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Report finds serious failings in council housing

LDRS A picture taken outside Castle Point Borough Council's offices. The building has the council's name on the front of it and a clock. There are white columns by the entrance door and it has a triangular roof. There is a flag pole in front of the building.LDRS
Castle Point Borough Council was given a C4 rating - the lowest possible for housing

A council has "serious failings" in how it maintains health and safety across its rented housing, a government regulator has found.

Castle Point Borough Council, in Essex, was told it must make "fundamental changes" to its service and how it met legal requirements for landlords.

It was given a C4 rating - the lowest possible for housing - after inspections by the Regulator of Social Housing in September and December.

Dave Blackwell, the authority's leader, said he accepted "the council hasn't got everything right".

In the report, the regulator said there was not "evidence to sufficiently assure" inspectors that the council understood risks to tenants.

"We have concluded that there are very serious failings in Castle Point delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards," the regulator determined.

"The issues identified during the inspection include a failure to demonstrate it is meeting landlord health and safety legal requirements.

"Castle Point Council does not have an accurate understanding of the condition of its homes."

'Not fit for purpose'

Inspectors also noted the council "failed to submit tenant satisfaction measures data" for the 2023-24 period.

Simon Dedman/BBC Dave Blackwell, who has grey hair and is wearing a navy coat, with a navy jumper and blue polo top underneath. He is smiling at the camera while standing in front of other people, who have been blurred out.Simon Dedman/BBC
Council leader Dave Blackwell said he was "fully committed" to making improvements

The judgement came after the council agreed to spend £438,000 on staff to help tackle data issues surrounding its housing.

In November, council documents showed staff believed its housing data was "inconsistent and, therefore, not fully fit for purpose".

Blackwell, a councillor from the Canvey Island Independent Party which leads the authority, said further funding for housing would be requested in January.

He continued: "We are sorry the council has not met the expectations of our tenants or of the regulator.

"We remain committed to ensuring that our homes provide safe and warm places to live for our tenants."

"We accept and recognise that in the past the council hasn't got everything right, and we are fully committed to making the necessary improvements."

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